LeBron James on Dwight Howard: 'He ain't going through what I went through'

December 21, 2011|By Josh Robbins, Orlando Sentinel

LeBron James understands Dwight Howard faces scrutiny now that everyone knows Howard wants a trade from the Orlando Magic.

But James just doesn't think the spotlight on Howard can compare to what he faced as he chose to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat.

"No, he ain't going through what I went through, don't say that," James told a reporter Wednesday, before the Magic hosted the Heat at Amway Center. "He's nowhere near going through what I went through."

James, of course, grew up in Akron, and many people in Cleveland and Ohio still regard him as a villain. Cavaliers Owner Dan Gilbert ripped James in a letter to the team's fans. Fathead, a company owned by Gilbert, changed the price of its James wall graphics to $17.41; 1741 is the birth year of Benedict Arnold.

Asked what advice he would give Howard, James replied, "The only advice I can give is he's just got to be happy with any decision that comes out of this. He loves the game of basketball, and I wish him the best."

Power-forward shuffle

Anderson replaced Davis in the lineup at power forward, and Van Gundy said Anderson has played "extremely well" since camp started. Van Gundy also indicated he hasn't made a decision about who will start the season opener on Christmas night.

Van Gundy said Davis is "getting in better shape." Davis started practicing with the team on Dec. 14, but Van Gundy added that Tuesday's practice was the first time Davis was able push full-speed and sustain good effort for a full practice.

Dedication

Howard said he has dedicated his season to Remmi Goyens, an Orlando woman whom police say was killed by her boyfriend.

Goyens was a fan of Howard's and had sent him nice notes via Twitter.

On Dec. 10, Goyens wrote on Twitter, "Its gonna hurt if you leave @DwightHoward but I'll be a fan wherever you go :-)".

On Wednesday, Howard said: "I think a lot of people that I talk to on Twitter I've become pretty close with. And to see somebody go, it's tough."

Layups

•Chris Duhon had a nice drive-and-dish to Howard for an easy dunk late in the first quarter. "Chris has played a lot better already than he probably did at any point last year," Van Gundy said before tipoff. "He seems to be much more confident, much more comfortable."

•Dan DeVos, the team's new chairman and a son of Owner Rich DeVos, attended Wednesday's exhibition.

•Former Magic and Heat point guard Jason Williams attended the game with two of his children. Williams sat on one of the baselines. The Heat's Mike Miller and Shane Battier stopped by Williams' seat before tipoff to say hello.

•J.J. Redick was given the microphone after pregame introductions, and Redick thanked fans for their support during the lockout.

•Gina Marie Incandela sang the national anthem.

•Wednesday's exhibition was the Magic's first event at Amway Center against another team since Game 5 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals on April 26.

•James air-balled a foul shot during the first quarter.

• The Magic announced after the game that they have waived point guard GabePruitt.